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Mark Elliott Associates

18/07/2022

Einstein said :
“Intellect will get you from A to B but imagination will take you everywhere“

This is an exceptionally well designed play area in Truro Nova Scotia we just stumbled upon.

It is a hybrid play environment…mixing elements of natural play .. mud kitchen , stream table , willow houses , boulder clusters ,hill slides and music area with traditionally swings and climbing structures.

What sets this mix of play elements apart is that it deliberately provides a variety of play experience that develops the full spectrum of how kids learn and development.

Remember playing “King of the Castle “ on the big metal and plastic play structures of the last 40 years ? . These structures simply promoted development of gross motor skills ( climbing ) and a survival of the biggest .. strongest mentality. In short they promoted bullying and a kind of top down social hierarchy that also permeates all other work - life environments..

Thankfully play has evolved and become more risk adverse and focused on developing all the ways children learn.

Play now provides spaces to those who don’t fit at the top of the play pyramid. There are now spaces for the musician, builder , actor , imagineer who needs to development through the aesthetic of posibilty.

Get wet , get dirty , eat dirt , share , collaborate , explore , invent , build things , spaces , community , be quiet , be loud .. are the desired outcomes of this new sort of play ..

But is it really new ? Not a chance. What is old is new again is always the paradigm shift in all positive disruption.

Unregulated play in muck. Playing and falling off on a rock or log .. getting a bo-bo . Didn’t that happen before ? Yep.

Well damm , turns out science has proven regulated free and natural play and risk is extremely good for brain development and learning.

The big concern for admintrstors is risk management of organic and free play. But the truth is while the risk of falling off a log and getting a bo-bo and band aid is higher - the risk of severe and even fatal consequences related to big gross motor skill based play equipment typical to our current playscapes is expotentially higher.

So kudos to the designers, administrators, parents who understand the benifits of this kind of play space. Simply well done.

10/07/2022

Can fire and water turn to ice ?

09/07/2022

HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL?

This is a very important question that I ask my clients as a life designer and landscape architect. Why ask this ?

Because all life changing design needs to focus first on an emotional response based on an extraordinary and simple experience. So from the question “how do you want to feel ? ‘ ..comes answers like :
I want to feel at peace and free
I want to feel connected to wind,water,the sun, moon and stars
I want to feel warmth in my soul
I want to feel happy
I want to have an extraordinary family experience ….

This one of a kind outdoor shower with cold water wall,fireplace, twin LED rain heads , window seat with view to the North Channel and adjacent fire pit . This space is a sensual overdose inspired by the powerful forces of nature and spiritual energy of the North Channel Manitoulin Island.

I am beyond grateful for my clients who gave me the opportunity to create this world class experience for them. Thank you X10🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏.

The construction team who built this are simply the best ! I cannot even conceive of any idea like this without knowing I have a team of people who can deliver this kind of excellence. Steve Elliott at Acer Land Developments in Sudbury/Manitoulin was the general contractor ( fire pit, structural, stone coping , water wall , widow fab, mechanical ). Steves team included Pat Doucet, Claude Sinclair and Ross Garbut.. What sets you guys apart is your attention to detail as well as the big picture ..and also the highest give a Sh*t factor in the industry. Danke!!

The bigger than life Wayne Martin at Stoneman Enterprizes from Manitoulin hand picked and laid every stone on the wall with the eye of the true master he is. Thank you Wayne !

A shout out to Ryan Keller from Bond Plumbing and Heating and Terry Addison from Addison electric who provided outstanding service to round out the team.

If you love this please share it !

If you are looking to answer the question “how do I want to feel? and are ready to create a life changing experience feel free to reach out to me via messenger or call my office at 705)692-5060.

Sudbury is my home base but Manitoulin is my second home. We also work anywhere with clients who desire extraordinary experiences in their lives.

As always.. namaste eh!

Mark

07/07/2022

Hiya friends … this is such a joyfull post for me.

This is Zen-Canadiana

As a designer you dream of a perfect combination of client , location , contractor and suppliers to create something that is truly special . This is the result of that synergy and being able to tap the divine energy that exists all around us.

For over 30 years I have been blessed to be able to hone my craft as a life designer and landscape architect and create functional art in the greatest lake region in the world -Northern Ontario.

As this project nears completion Iam left with a sense of profound graditute , firstly for my clients who have trusted my vision and endured the challenge of building through this crazy covid era.

Secondly to my brother Steve Elliott owner of Acer Land Developments who built everything from the dock, stone work, sauna structure and interior finishes , night lighting etc etc…

Steves crews succefully transplanted thousand of wild blueberries which have yielded delicious fruit in their first cycle of regrowth .

Steve has the best three landscape tradesmen anywhere . Without Pat Doucet, Claude Sinclair and Ross Garbutt this project would not be possible.

Everyone who has built anything during covid knows how challenging material supply has been. A shout out to Roger Gainer at Docks and Decks and Chad at Pine Hill Lumber ,Jukka Ovaska at Nordic Energy who provided great products and service .

This wont be the last post on this project.. still tweaking absolutely stunning sauna lighting and doing the covid wait thing for a wood stove for the screen room ..

Until next time..as always … namaste eh!

24/04/2022

Hiya Friends. My son Liam is 3rd year SPAD at LU. He has the entrepreneurial spirit and has started a Student Works window cleaning business this summer. If you have kids looking for a great summer job give him a call. .. or if you want to take window cleaning , gutters cleaning .. driveway power washing off your summer honey - do list and go to camp and relax .. give him a call.

Thanks all !

26/03/2022

Can you see the stars inside a sauna ? You bet !

This sauna project in the south area of Sudbury is nearing completion.

I’m grateful for my clients who have shared this amazing vision and been patient with the challenges of custom building in this time.

I’m am beyond grateful for the crew at Acer Land Developments for their commitment and skill to bring this vision to reality. Steve Elliott my bro is the best in the industry and has the most amazing crew in Claude Sinclair , Pat Doucet and Ross Garbut. For over 30 years you have made it possible for my clients to dream big !!!🙏 This sauna is world class .. move over Findland .. Canada #1.

Back to the stars .. not only are the windows located to view 270 degrees down the bay and see the stars from within but there are also 200 fibre op star lit points in the ceiling. You can see the untrimmed fibre strands dangling from the ceiling. Zing !

My favourite part is the way the structure wraps around the twisted jack pine .. Tom Thompson meets Zen Canadiana.

We are looking forward to sharing the lights out version of this baby.

Namaste eh!

09/11/2021

Really really big plans for 2022.

Are you ready to redesign your life for essential connected , joyful, happy , loving , human experiences. ?

That is the mission of Life Studio Group.

Follow us !

Address

36 Patricia Street Unit 1
ON
P3Y1G3

Telephone

+17056925060

Website

http://markelliottassociates.com/

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